Taggers caught in act defacing Indian Ladder Trail ledge

Staff report

Published 11:17 am, Saturday, May 17, 2014

NEW SCOTLAND – Two graffiti artists decided Thursday to forego the usual canvases of buildings, bridges and signs and instead tagged the ancient rock face of the Helderberg Escarpment in Thacher State Park before they were arrested by troopers.

State Police said they allegedly caught Giosue Mazzone of Scotia and Kaine Caraballo of Schenectady as they climbed back down from tagging graffiti on a rock ledge on the Indian Ladder Trail. The subjects allegedly spray painted the tags "Randl" and "Camp" on the rocks.

Both men were charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief making graffiti, and possession of graffiti instruments, all misdemeanors. They were issued appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in New Scotland Town Court on May 22.